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From: jacob@gore.com (Jacob Gore)
Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss
Subject: Re: Copyleftability
Message-ID: <970007@gore.com>
Date: 20 Dec 89 03:20:48 GMT
References: <8255@stiatl.UUCP>
Reply-To: jacob@gore.com (Jacob Gore)
Organization: Gore Enterprises
Lines: 35

/ gnu.misc.discuss / meo@stiatl.UUCP (Miles O'Neal) / Dec 19, 1989 /
> the way I read [GNU GPL], it says if I write an original work that includes
> copylefted code (such as gnu C runtime libraries), I can't sell it.
> If I add to an existing thing, I can, but can't charge extra for anything
> related to the copylefted stuff. So, that means a new work done with
> GNU C would allow me only to charge for copying & distribution.
> 
> Did I misread something? I'd truly love to find out I did.

1.  You can sell it as much as you want (and, as usual, find customers), as
long as you follow the license.  The major limitations are:

    1.	You cannot deny your custromers the right to distribute it further
	(they, of course, must also obey the GNU GPL if they distribute it).

    2.	  (cost to customer of distribution with source)
	- (cost to customer of distribution without source)
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
	  (no greater than a reasonable media, shipping & handling charge)

So, it is wrong to say that you are forbidden to sell copylefted code,
though you won't be able to sell it using the currently common approach
("pay me for each copy or I'll sick FBI on you, and pay 100 times as much
if you want the source").

2.  Code compiled with the GNU C compiler does NOT become copylefted just
because it was compiled with the GNU C compiler.  That only happens if you
link with GNU libraries.  Now, the GNU C++ compiler, by default, links in
code from GNU libraries, so unless you make your copy of g++ go after
non-copylefted libraries, you will end up with copylefted code.  This is
not the case with GNU C at all.

Jacob
--
Jacob Gore		Jacob@Gore.Com			boulder!gore!jacob